I just saw this as breaking news on twitter I Could not believe it..can someone explain to me how so many firefighters can die in one time Ive never heard such a thing..such a horrible tragedy God bless these brave firefighters

I just saw this as breaking news on twitter I Could not believe it..can someone explain to me how so many firefighters can die in one time Ive never heard such a thing..such a horrible tragedy God bless these brave firefighters

If I was to guess I'd say probably heavy winds shifted directions. Maybe the fire jumped a ridge and cut them off.

13
posted on 06/30/2013 7:57:47 PM PDT
by Sparticus
(Tar and feathers for the next dumb@ss Republican that uses the word bipartisanship.)

“Lessons learned from the Mann Gulch fire had a great impact on firefighter training. However, some of the lessons were forgotten and the tragedy would be repeated in the South Canyon Fire of 1994, in which 14 firefighters died.”

Firefighting is always dangerous work..I have heard of firefighters dying in the line of duty but had never heard of a number that high, in one time..unreal..God Bless these brave men who battle these fires they are true heroes

I am in the far northwest corner of the Phoenix valley. Went up to Wickenburg and up 89 the back way into Prescott just before the Granite Mtn fire a few weeks ago. That route took me through the area burning today.

The back yard smells like smoke so the winds are pushing it this way.

This is a horrific loss to the local FD up there. Sounds like their whole wildfire team almost.

“Young Men and Fire” is the work that really let us understand this danger.

38
posted on 06/30/2013 8:33:24 PM PDT
by KC Burke
(Officially since Memorial Day they are the Gimmie-crat Party.)

..can someone explain to me how so many firefighters can die in one time Ive never heard such a thing.

Only God knows, but I will make an effort. They take extraordinary risks that probably should not be taken. These wildfires are horrific and I have seen a few up close here in the Northwest. The speed and ferocity with which they move leaves little margin for error and they can change speed and turn on a dime. You have very little chance of survival if you get caught in one of these and these crews can only move as fast as they can run through difficult terrain. We had some perish here in Washington a few years ago from a very questionable decision by the crew supervisor who had questionable ability. I respect their bravery, but I question why we put men and women at such risks in the first place.

As more people build in the forest and live in the forest (I am one) there will be more structures burned. My house is not worth the life of a firefighter(s). I have insurance and I take practical steps to improve my property (as I am allowed) to lessen the risks, but I accept that risk by living here just as I believe people who live on the Florida coast should assume the risks of hurricanes as the cost of living there.

We would be much better served by employing these men and women to care for the forest by clearing fire breaks and periodically lowering the fuel load in the forest. An overgrown forest with a high fuel load is not always a “natural” thing because wildfires used to burn more often and they were left unchecked to clear the forests. It’s amazing how fast the forests recuperate too - see Glacier National Park for proof.

It’s time to rethink our strategy for forest and land management and a tragedy like this would be a good reason. I truly hope and pray this report is wrong, but if not I pray for the affected families and also pray something good will come out of such a tragedy.

In Worcester MA 6 were were killed fighting a abandoned building fire. They got lost and ran out of air, along with crews sent in to look for them. Not sure how so many were jilted igniting a wild fire, unless they got trapped.

Almighty Father, let this account be wrong, but if it is not your will, then please comfort the families and friends of these firefighters and receive the fallen unto you with open arms. I ask this in the Name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.

50
posted on 06/30/2013 8:48:28 PM PDT
by Smokin' Joe
(How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing)

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